US20050019080A1 - Color encoded keyboard and method - Google Patents
Color encoded keyboard and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050019080A1 US20050019080A1 US10/626,801 US62680103A US2005019080A1 US 20050019080 A1 US20050019080 A1 US 20050019080A1 US 62680103 A US62680103 A US 62680103A US 2005019080 A1 US2005019080 A1 US 2005019080A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- color
- text
- key
- function key
- keyboard
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/205—Ink jet for printing a discrete number of tones
- B41J2/2052—Ink jet for printing a discrete number of tones by dot superpositioning, e.g. multipass doubling
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
- G06F3/0219—Special purpose keyboards
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
- G06F3/0238—Programmable keyboards
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F40/00—Handling natural language data
- G06F40/10—Text processing
- G06F40/103—Formatting, i.e. changing of presentation of documents
- G06F40/117—Tagging; Marking up; Designating a block; Setting of attributes
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/84—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
- H01H2217/032—Feedback about selected symbol, e.g. display
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/028—Printed information
- H01H2219/034—Coloured areas
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
- H01H2219/039—Selective or different modes of illumination
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
- H01H2239/05—Mode selector switch, e.g. shift, or indicator
Abstract
A computer keyboard optimized for generating multi-color text documents is described. A standard keyboard includes a plurality of selected function keys that have been programmed to change the document text color when activated. Each of the selected keys further includes color indicia to indicate the new text color that results from activation of that key. Without removing the user's hands from the keyboard, a user may produce text color changes while typing a document with no more effort than capitalizing text.
Description
- The present invention relates to the field of computer keyboards, and more particularly to keyboards for which selected keys are programmed to effect text color changes and color encoded to indicate the resulting text color.
- Most computer-generated documents have previously been printed with black text on white paper. When color was used in printed documents, it was common to minimize the number of colors used and the number of color changes due to the relative inconvenience initiating text color changes. Even with the widespread availability of color printers, many documents such as letters, reports, and memos continue to be generated primarily in black and white despite a growing appreciation of the enhanced impact that multi-color documents can provide. A reason why computers users do not more freely utilize changes in text color to increase the visual impact of their correspondence and other documents is that most application software requires an inconvenient and relatively slow process to effect text color changes. A mouse may be used to manipulate icons on a function bar, but this requires removal of the hand from the keyboard. Effecting text color changes from the keyboard often requires a hard to remember and complicated multi-step series of keyboard strokes. Alternatively, the number of key strokes required to effect a text color change may be reduced by creating a programmed macro. If more than one or two text colors are so programmed, however, it becomes difficult to memorize the correspondence between the key combination that causes a particular color change and the desired color.
- Each key of a computer keyboard normally has indicia printed on it to indicate a function that is performed by pressing that key. For example, on the conventional QWERTY keyboard, the letter “Q” printed on the key indicates that pressing that key will cause the letter “q” or “Q” to be inserted into a text document depending upon whether the SHIFT key is simultaneously pressed.
- Computers usually permit some or all keys to be reprogrammed to perform multi-step functions as well as simply changing the output character, such programming generally referred to as creating a macro. For example, a command such as CTRL-B might cause the output text to appear in bold type. An obvious problem with such “altered” keyboards is that there is nothing on the face of the original key to indicate the new function.
- The prior art reveals efforts to resolve some of the above problems with the use of substitute key caps and key cap overlays. U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,072 to Hoornweg discloses that temporary key caps having different indicia can be placed over the original cap to indicate an altered function or, alternatively, to mask the function if an opaque cap having no indicia is used. It also discloses the use of a colored key cap to distinguish a subset of keys while maintaining the original key function. While suggesting that colored key caps may ease association between color and function, Hoornweg does not provide any teaching of how this might be done.
- There is a need for a method and apparatus that permits the use of a control or function key having color coding corresponding to the text color change that results from activation of the control key.
- The present invention provides a method and apparatus to accurately and efficiently alter the text color while typing a document. Selected function keys are programmed to change the text color in a document to be typed when the function key is activated. By programming a selected subset of text colors from the set of all colors available within the software application, the user predetermines a subset of text colors desired for use within a document to be created. Each function key is also provided with unique color indicia to visually indicate to a user the text color change that results from activation of the function key.
- It is an object of the present invention to efficiently change the text color in computer-generated text documents.
- It is a further object to provide a visual correspondence between a key that effects a text color change and the color of the resulting text.
- A method of color encoding a computer keyboard having these and other advantages includes selecting, from the set of possible text colors provided by a computer, a subset of text colors for use in documents to be generated from the keyboard. Selected function keys are programmed to generate the selected text colors, with each selected function key generating a different selected text color. Each selected function key is provided with a color indicia to display the programmed text color of that key.
- A computer keyboard optimized for generating multi-colored text documents having these and other advantages includes a selected group of programmable function keys that have been programmed to change the text color in a document when activated. Each of the selected keys is programmed to provide a selected text color, and is provided with color indicia to display the text color generated by the activation of that function key.
- Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a computer keyboard to which color indicia has been applied to certain function keys in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged and more detailed view of a segment of the sheet of colored decals ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 3 illustrates a sheet of colored decals and identifying information in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art colored key cap suitable for color encoding a computer keyboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 5 is a flow chart indicating the steps of an embodiment of the invention. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , a computer 20 includes a console 21 connected to a keyboard 22 and adisplay 24. A key 25, which in this embodiment has been chosen to be the key marked with the numeral “1”, has been provided with adecal 26.Decal 26 will preferably be colored. Alternatively, adecal 27 may have a name of a color printed thereon. Adecal 28 is similarly affixed toanother key 29, which in this embodiment has been chosen to be the key marked with the numeral “2”.Decal 28 is also preferably colored, but having a different color than that ofdecal 26. Alternativelydecal 28 may have a name of a second color printed thereon similar todecal 27. Additional keys, for example the keys marked with numerals “1” through “0” and symbols “−” and “=,” may also have decals affixed, each additional decal being a different color or displaying the name of a different color. The bottom of the decals preferably has a paste-on, or adhesive, material that secures the decal to the function key during normal use but that permits the decal to be removed and replaced when a new text color is programmed into the function key. -
FIG. 2 illustrates abacking material 30 containing thecolored decal 26 before it has been attached to key 25. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the color ofdecal 26 is red. Backingmaterial 30 also has a decal 32 bearing the name of the color ofdecal 26 and optionally, acode number 33 to distinguish the red on this decal from another available color, such as a different shade of red.Decal 26 is sized to be affixed to a key, such as key 25, without covering the numeral “1” or the symbol “!” that is normally printed on the key. Thecolored decal 28, which in this embodiment is assumed to be blue, is similarly provided onbacking 30 with acorresponding name 34 and code number 36.FIG. 3 illustrates abacking sheet 38 on which are supplied a number of decals with corresponding color names and code numbers from which a user can select the colors that are to be affixed to selected keys. The number and colors of decals onsheet 38 are a representative subset of the diversity of available text colors offered by the application software and will preferably exceed the number desired by a user for a given document or series of documents. For example, the total number of decals provided may be 256, out of which the user may select 12 for attachment to the “1”−“0”, “−” and “=” keys. A greater or lesser number of decals may be utilized at the election of the user according to personal preference, and the decals may be provided on one, two, or more sheets. -
FIG. 4 illustrates acolored key cap 40 removably fitted over a key 42. Colored key caps designed to be removably fitted over a key are well known in the prior art and will not be further described here. When the colors of the key caps are provided to correspond with the text colors desired by a user, however, the caps may be utilized in place of decals or color names in an alternative embodiment of the present invention. For example, a red key cap may be fitted over the key 25 marked with the numeral “1” instead of affixing thered decal 26. The number and colors of key caps provided will preferably correspond to the diversity of available text colors offered by the application software and will preferably exceed the number desired by a user for a given document or series of documents. For example, the total number of colored key caps provided may be 256, out of which the user may select 12 for attachment to the “1”−“0,” “−” and “=” keys. A greater or lesser number of colored key caps may be utilized at the election of the user according to personal preference. Alternatively, the original keys provided with the keyboard may be physically removed and replaced with colored keys. - To use the invention, a user selects a subset of desired text colors from the set of colors provided by an application. The application may be a commercially available word processing application such as Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect, each of which provides 256 choices of possible text colors. Each application provides a capability for viewing the array of available colors and selecting them with the aid of the cursor.
- After choosing a subset of colors, for example twelve colors from the possible 256, the user next selects twelve function keys to be programmed. For example, the user may select the keys “1” through “0” plus “−” and “=.” The user next chooses a command instruction to cause the text color change, such as “CTRL-1,” “CTRL-2,” . . . “CTRL-=.” That is, a text change would result when the user depressed the “1” key while simultaneously depressing the “CTRL” key. Preferably, the command instruction will be chosen from among those not already preprogrammed into the application software by the manufacturer.
- It is well within the ordinary skills of a computer programmer to develop an application that prompts the user to select a function key and an associated text color, and then programs the keyboard to effect the appropriate text color change upon activation of a given function key. Alternatively, the user may perform the programming for each function key in the form of a macro and assign the macro to the function key as a shortcut. The program may also provide for the selection of available colors from a drop-down screen showing the array of available colors. Selection of a specific text color may be made with the aid of the cursor.
- The user then provides each programmed function key with indicia to indicate the color change that results from activating that key, as was previously described.
- The method described above is illustrated in
FIG. 5 . It is readily apparent that, after the desired text color for each function key has been selected, it makes no difference whether the programming of the function keys occurs before or after the application of the color indicia. - While the preferred forms and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the inventive concepts set forth above. For example, the above embodiments describe keys along the top of a standard keyboard as suitable for use as function keys. Other keys such as the number keys on the right hand side of the standard keyboard, however, would serve equally well.
Claims (11)
1. A method of color encoding a computer keyboard, comprising the steps of:
(a) selecting, from the set of possible text colors provided by a computer, a subset of text colors for use in documents to be generated from the keyboard;
(b) programming selected function keys to generate the selected text colors, each selected function key generating a different selected text color; and
(c) color marking each selected function key with a color indicia indicative of the programmed text color of that key
2. The method of claim 1 wherein color marking each selected function key further comprises color marking each selected function key with a paste-on decal representing the programmed text color.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein color marking each selected function key further comprises replacing the key cap with another cap having the programming text color.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein color marking each selected function key further comprises overlaying the key with a fitted key cap having the programmed text color.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein programming further comprises programming the twelve keys including the numbers “1” through “0” and “−” and “=”.
6. The method of claim 2 , and further comprising the further step of selecting a paste-on decal representing the programmed text color from a preprinted sheet of decals having a subset of the possible set of colors provided by the computer.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of selecting a subset of text colors further includes selecting colors from a drop-down screen.
8. A computer keyboard optimized for generating multi-colored text documents, comprising:
(a) a plurality of programmable function keys that have been programmed to change the text color in a document when activated, each of said plurality of keys programmed to a selected color; and
(b) color indicia on each function key indicative of the text color generated by the activation of that function key.
9. The keyboard of claim 8 wherein the color indicia is a decal colored to represent the text color generated by the activation of the function key.
10. The keyboard of claim 8 wherein the color indicia is a replacement key colored to represent the text color generated by the activation of the function key.
11. The keyboard of claim 8 wherein the color indicia is a key cap colored to represent the text color generated by the activation of the function key.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/626,801 US20050019080A1 (en) | 2003-07-23 | 2003-07-23 | Color encoded keyboard and method |
US11/049,194 US7739615B2 (en) | 2003-07-23 | 2005-02-02 | Color encoded keyboard and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/626,801 US20050019080A1 (en) | 2003-07-23 | 2003-07-23 | Color encoded keyboard and method |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/049,194 Continuation-In-Part US7739615B2 (en) | 2003-07-23 | 2005-02-02 | Color encoded keyboard and method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20050019080A1 true US20050019080A1 (en) | 2005-01-27 |
Family
ID=34080492
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/626,801 Abandoned US20050019080A1 (en) | 2003-07-23 | 2003-07-23 | Color encoded keyboard and method |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20050019080A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070236461A1 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-10-11 | Jason Griffin | Method and system for selecting a currency symbol for a handheld electronic device |
US20150119128A1 (en) * | 2013-10-29 | 2015-04-30 | Gary Weingardt | Video bingo game and method therefor |
CN104915104A (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2015-09-16 | 小米科技有限责任公司 | Display method and device of keyboard interface |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4755072A (en) * | 1986-10-15 | 1988-07-05 | Hoornweg Andries P | Removable, transparent, colored key caps for color coding a keyboard |
US5694562A (en) * | 1995-01-17 | 1997-12-02 | Fisher; Thomas A. | Closely integrated key icons in a graphical interface |
US5700097A (en) * | 1995-07-10 | 1997-12-23 | Kuhlenschmidt; Richard E. | Children's computer keyboard |
US5825362A (en) * | 1997-05-07 | 1998-10-20 | Datahand Corporation | Graphical user interface with keyboard display graphical |
US6331083B1 (en) * | 2000-05-16 | 2001-12-18 | Brook Lee Harris | Individual key covers for computer keyboards |
US20030161672A1 (en) * | 2002-02-26 | 2003-08-28 | Roberson Robin Catherine | Printable, reusable key masks |
US20040119755A1 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2004-06-24 | Nicolas Guibourge | One hand quick dialer for communications devices |
US7079049B2 (en) * | 2001-10-31 | 2006-07-18 | Quix S.R.L. | Element for identifying the functions associated with computer keyboard keys |
-
2003
- 2003-07-23 US US10/626,801 patent/US20050019080A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4755072A (en) * | 1986-10-15 | 1988-07-05 | Hoornweg Andries P | Removable, transparent, colored key caps for color coding a keyboard |
US5694562A (en) * | 1995-01-17 | 1997-12-02 | Fisher; Thomas A. | Closely integrated key icons in a graphical interface |
US5700097A (en) * | 1995-07-10 | 1997-12-23 | Kuhlenschmidt; Richard E. | Children's computer keyboard |
US5825362A (en) * | 1997-05-07 | 1998-10-20 | Datahand Corporation | Graphical user interface with keyboard display graphical |
US6331083B1 (en) * | 2000-05-16 | 2001-12-18 | Brook Lee Harris | Individual key covers for computer keyboards |
US7079049B2 (en) * | 2001-10-31 | 2006-07-18 | Quix S.R.L. | Element for identifying the functions associated with computer keyboard keys |
US20030161672A1 (en) * | 2002-02-26 | 2003-08-28 | Roberson Robin Catherine | Printable, reusable key masks |
US20040119755A1 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2004-06-24 | Nicolas Guibourge | One hand quick dialer for communications devices |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070236461A1 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-10-11 | Jason Griffin | Method and system for selecting a currency symbol for a handheld electronic device |
US7825900B2 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2010-11-02 | Research In Motion Limited | Method and system for selecting a currency symbol for a handheld electronic device |
US20150119128A1 (en) * | 2013-10-29 | 2015-04-30 | Gary Weingardt | Video bingo game and method therefor |
US10229560B2 (en) * | 2013-10-29 | 2019-03-12 | Gary Weingardt | Video bingo game and method therefor |
CN104915104A (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2015-09-16 | 小米科技有限责任公司 | Display method and device of keyboard interface |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |